Shoe decorative device



Dec. 5, 1961 E. CLKING 3,011,281

SHOE DECOR ATIVE DEVICE Filed Jan. 8, 1960 FIG. 2

FIG. 5 FIG. 6

I I I IGA I E I i I 5 I I I \m F/G. a v5) i I60 I7A I 1 /2sc '5) i I (E) I i I (=2 '5) s l I I A i i a (=3 I l 1) I2) INVENTOR. I EULA 0. KING I F BYW ATTORNEY 3,011,281 SHOE DECORATIVE DEVICE Eula C. King, 4452 Copeland Ave., San Diego, "Calif. Filed Jan. 8, 1960, Ser. No. 1,252 6 Claims. (CI. 41-34) This is an invention which relates to shoe decorative devices and more particularly to a decorative device for beautifying the thong-type sandal worn by men, women, teensters, and children.

This type of sandal comprises an optional flat or heeled sole, with straps connected thereto passing over the foot to retain the shoe in position. These straps are fastened to the edge of the sole near its mid-section and extend forwardly to form a loop. The foremost part of the loop is then connected to the sole by a length of strap or other substance, which fits between the wearers big toe and second toe and is commonly referred to as a thong. Such sandals ordinarily have soles of molded rubber, leather, or other suitable material, varying in length, width or shape, according to the size or design. The thongs also may be of rubber, leather, or other suitable materiaLvarying in length, Width or shape, according to the preferred design. Such shoes are known as casual sandals, beach walkers, shower shoes, bedroom slippers or evening dress shoes and may be. useful throughout the seasons of the year. These shoes are often lacking in decorative ornamentation and'are very plain in appearance. Because of the many occasions that this type of shoe may be worn, milady must have many pairs of such shoes, each being designed for a specific occasion. Not onlyis this an expensive way of maintaining a shoe' supply but it also creates a storage problem.

These defects and disadvantages are overcome by the present original invention which creates a plurality of interchangeable decorative devices for use with a single pair of shoes so that the one pair may be worn on different occasions. Inthis manner a multi-purpose shoe is created to replace the many pairs of shoes otherwise required. This is accomplished by the provision of a decoration attaching base or bases, Varying in width, length or shape suited to the designed, adapted to be removably secured to the shoe straps by means of snaps, buttons-button holes, zippers or other releasable connecting meansor permanently secured by other means to the shoe straps, and mounting upon the base or bases suitable decorative attachments varying insuitable width, length or shape by meansof snaps, buttons-button holes, zippers or other releasable connecting means or mounted by other means. An optional toe crotch engaging section varying in suitable shape may extend from or be removably attached by releasable connecting means to the base to provide additional comfort.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide for a decorative device for thong type shoes.

It is another object to provide for a decorative device for converting a shoe for use on multi-purposeoccasions.

Another object is the provision of a decoration attaching base for removable mounting on the straps of a thong type shoe.

Another object is the provision of a decoration attaching base for receiving strips or units of decorative ornaments and configurations.

Another object is the provision of a plurality of decorative strips or ornamental configurations which may be removably attached to the straps of a thong-type shoe.

Still another object is the provision of an additional toe crotch engaging portion to fit around the thong of a shoe between the big toe and the second toe of the wearer.

Other objects and advantages will become more aplCG Patented Dec. 5, 1961 FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 shows an alternate form of decoration attaching base; i

FIGURE 6 showsa-decorative strip alternate form;

FIGURE 7 shows another type of decorative strip; and

FIGURE 8 shows one of a plurality of attaching units that may be used instead of a decorative strip.

Referring now to FIGURE 1 there is shown a typical shoe 10 that is quite popular for beach wear although it is to be understood that any of the shoes earlier mentioned may be used. This shoe has a molded rubber base to which the straps 11 are attached near the midsection. These straps also are of molded rubber, forming a loop 12 at the front. This loop, however, is not continuously curved but appears more nearly as a V- shape in plan view, similar to the decorative strip shown in FIGURE 3. At the front of this loop a connecting strip or thong 13 extends downwardly for connection with the shoe sole. The length of this thong 13 will vary depending upon whether the loop 12 is designed to extend nearer the wearers toes or closer to the ankles. As canbe seen, a decorative strip 16 extends around for use with the the loop in full view whereas the decoration attaching base 17 upon which the strip is mounted and toe crotch 35 engaging portion 18 attached thereto will be hidden from view when the shoe is worn. 1

The decoration attaching base 17 of any suitable flexible material is shown'in plan view in FIGURE 2. Here the top base portion 1) is' of such a shape that it will rest upon the loop to which it is to be attached. Since in plan view the loop 12 of the shoe in FIGURE 1 resembles a V, this configuration also will be shown by the top base section 19. Each leg 21 of the V has a wrap around fold section 22 of width similar to that of the top base section 19 and is adapted to fold along the line of intersection 23 of the two sections. Extending outwardly from the wrap around section 22 is the fastening section 24 which is adapted to fold along the line of intersection 26 between these two sections. The width of the fastening section 24 is about the same as that of the top section 19. On the underneath side of the top sec-- tion 19 and on the top side of the fastening section 24 base. section 19 on the shoe straps.

It is within the contemplation of this invention, however, that a zipper or other releasable connecting means may also be used if desired. It is also contemplated that the fastening section may become permanently fixed to the underside of the top section by glueing, heat press, molding or other suitable means. On the top of the top section 19 are other snap fasteners 28 to retain the decorative strip of FIGURE 3. However, if preferred, instead of using these fasteners 28 to retain a decorative strip, such as 16, the top section 19 itself may be decorated. This, however, would require a different attaching base with each new configuration desired. At the innermost part of the V of the top section is a toe crotch engaging tab 18 which abuts against the inner part of the connecting thong. This tab forms a protective cushion between the thong and the toe crotch of the wearer and gives additional comfort to those who experience difficulty in wearing a thong-type shoe.

As previously mentioned, the decorative strip 16 shown in FIGURE 3 is adapted to be mounted upon the top section 19 of the base 17 in FIGURE 2, such as by means of snap fasteners or buttons for example. It may be of any length desired. This decorative strip may be of cloth, felt, leather, plastic or other decorative flexible material and may have embedded or printed thereon suitable artistic designsas desired. Strung beads .may be attached, ornamentalcarvings mounted or decorative stitching, including names, symbols or advertising, applied. Decorative devices may be supplied in do-it-yourself kitform for attachment by the purchaser, if desired. I FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view of the decorative strip 16 and attaching base 17 mountedon the shoestraps 11 in FIGURE 1; To apply the. base to'the. loop the top base section 1% is positioned on the straps 11 and the wrap around fold sections 212- folded under. Thefastening section 2 4 is then folded up and over'the shoe strap 11 but under the top base section 19'. When the snap fasteners 27 mate they are. snapped together to secure the base 17 to the straps 11. The toe crotch engaging tab 18 will abut the inner surface of the thong 13 in a position such that the edges will be pushed forward by the toes of the wearer when the shoe is put on. After the base is positioned on the shoe straps the decorative strip 16 is snapped on. The decorative strip mounting snap fasteners 28 appear to be vertically aligned with the snap fasteners 27 used, in securing the base to the straps although as shown in FIGURE 2 and 3 they are spaced or staggered.

FIGURES and 6 show another type of decorative strip NA and attaching base 17A suitable for shoes having the loop closer to the wearers ankles such that it has a continuous loop appearance instead of the V-shaped configuration. The wrap around fold section 22A is positioned against the inner surface of the loop with the toe crotch engaging tab 18A abutting the inner part of the thong. Thereafter the fastening section 24A is then folded up and over the outer surface of the shoe strap, and the top base section 19A folded outwardly thereover with the snap fasteners 27A mating and snapped together'to secure the base 17A to the shoe loop. The decorative strip 16A of FIGURE 6 is then positioned on the base top section 19A.

Whilethe decorative strips 16 and 115A shown in FIG- URES, 3 and 6 are shown with parallel edges andv are of a width approximating that of the top base section, it is to be understood that they may have scalloped or pinked edges and may be of difierent shapes and forms. For example, as shown in FIGURE 7, a triangular decoration 16Bv may be used which partially covers the foot. It is fastened to the V-shaped loop of the shoe along two edges. It is not necessary that the decorative strip extend along the top base section. It may comprise, for example, a plurality of ornamental units 160 such as shown in FIGURE 8. Here each unit has its own snap fastener 28C which will engage one of the. up-

wardly: directed snap fasteners on the top base section of either FIGURE 2 or 5.

Obviously many other modifications will occur to those skilled in the art. It is to be understood that this invention is not to be limited by the specific embodiments shown and described by way of example only but is to encompass all versionsembraced within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A shoe decorative device for a thong type shoe comprising a decorative strip and a decoration attaching base for mounting said strip to the foot engaging straps of said shoe, said base comprising a top base section adapted to be positioned on the outer surface of said straps, and wrap around and fastening sections adapted s top base secto extend around said straps and eng. tion.

2. A shoe decorative device fora thong type shoe comprising a decorative strip and a decoration attaching base for mounting said strip to the foot engaging straps of said shoe, said base comprising a top portion adapted to extend around theouter surface of said straps, means for fixedly mounting said top portion on said straps, fastening means on said top portion and said decorative strip cooperatively engageable to connect said strip to said top portion.

3. A shoe decorative device in combination with a shoe having foot supporting straps and a thong interconnecting said straps to the shoe sole and adapted to pass between the big toe and second toe of the wearer, said device comprising a decoration attaching base and decorative means mounted thereon, said base including a top portion adapted to overlie the outer surface of said straps and means for attaching said top portion to said straps, said attaching means comprising wrap around and,

crotch engaging portion extending fromsaid top portionand adapted to be positioned rearwardly and adjacent to.

said thong and between said. thong and the toes of the wearer.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS.

1,463,531 Kennedy July 31, 1923 1,555,418 Kennedy Sept. 29, 1925 2,587,205 Paster Feb. 26, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain 1904 .huamihm 

